Adjustable Nose Width Bicycle Seat Assembly

ABSTRACT

A bicycle seat assembly having an adjustable width nose portion includes an H-shaped base that supports a lateral left side pad and a lateral right side pad. A rail extends under the base and between the left and right side nose portions of the seat assembly. A front rail mount includes a housing, a shuttle, an actuator, and left and right mount supports. Operation of the actuator alters the position of the left and right mount supports relative to the housing and thereby alters a distance between the respective left and right side nose portions of the seat base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bicycles and, moreparticularly, to an adjustable bicycle seat or saddle assembly thatincludes a bifurcated nose portion. Alternate respective halves of thenose portion can be moved in an inward or outward lateral direction withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the seat assembly to attain a desiredinteraction with the adjacent anatomy of an individual rider.

Many bicycle riders experience discomfort attributable to even moderatedurations spent seated upon a bicycle seat. The multitude of bicycleseats on the market attests to the wide range of rider preferences andsuggests that the final solution has yet to be found. Seat comfortdepends on many factors, among them, the compliance or firmness of thepadding, the appropriate seating surface shape, rider anatomy,compliance and/or responsiveness to rider motion associated with pedaloperation, and even individual rider preference.

The thickness of padding along with the density or firmness of thepadding also has an effect on comfort. Generally, increased pressurebetween the rider's body and the seat results in increased discomfortfor the rider. The opposite is also true: decreasing pressure generallyresults in decreased discomfort. In an effort to reduce pressure, someseat designs have targeted specific areas of the rider's body that areless able to withstand pressures by completely removing material fromthe seating surface (cutout seats), thus eliminating pressure at thatspot. However, such seats invariably must increase the pressureelsewhere on the body because the same portion of the rider's bodyweight is now supported over a decreased surface area, thus increasingthe pressure on the parts of the body that remain in contact with theremaining surface of the seat and are more able to tolerate suchincreased loading.

Yet another source of seat discomfort that is unaccounted for in manyseat designs is the natural movement of the rider. All riders' pelvisesmove during pedaling, and seats need to be designed to accommodate, notoppose, such natural pelvis movement. For example, during the study ofthe three dimensional movements of over two dozen men and women, it wasfound that during each pedal stroke, the pelvis moves so that the hipjoint translates (on average) roughly 10 millimeters forward and roughly10 millimeters downward with each downstroke of the pedal. This movementwas generally unaffected by changing the rider's power output or theseat's rear view curvature or compliance and is therefore considered tobe a natural movement. This movement can also be described as a twisting(about a vertical axis) and rolling (about a longitudinal axis) of theriders' pelvis. This natural movement of the pelvis may contribute todiscomfort through a shearing or scrubbing stress between the rider andthe seat surface, and through a cyclic increase and decrease of thepressure between the rider's leg and the top surface and outer edges ofthe seat.

Another source of discomfort on some bicycle seats is that skeletaldimensions differ from one individual to the next. A rider whose pelvicdimensions are mis-matched to the seat's dimensions can experiencediscomfort as a result. For example, it can be uncomfortable for a riderwith narrow pelvic dimensions to sit on a wider seat, since the extrawidth of the seat may interfere with the rider's natural pedaling motionby, for example, the rider's legs pushing on the sides of the seat. Thispushing can cause intermittent pressure with each pedal stroke as wellas chafing of the skin as the leg rubs across such an unyielding seatsurface.

Likewise, it may be uncomfortable for a rider with wider pelvicdimensions to sit on a narrow seat, since the sit bones are thensupported more medially on the ischiopubic rami, at a sloped angle thatincreases the lateral force component of the rider's body weight on theseat. This lateral force component, though helpful in controllinglateral movement and stability of the bicycle, can, if it grows toolarge, lead to excessive pressure on the rider's body at these contactpoints resulting in rider discomfort.

In some cases, when the rider's pelvic width is much larger than theseat's width, the sit bones may be completely off the edges of the seat.Such an association can cause an even greater increase in pressure anddiscomfort on the inner edges of the ischiopubic rami, can greatlyincrease the pressure along the center of the seat's length andtherefore on the rider's corresponding perineum or perineal region, andtherefore lead to even greater rider discomfort.

Yet another influence on seat discomfort is the ability of the seat tocomfortably accommodate the genital area of the rider. Pressure on thegenitals or perineum of the rider can be uncomfortable due to the nervesin this area and/or because the flesh there is seldom sat upon, isgenerally highly sensitive, has limited musculature, and is frequentlyless toughened than adjacent areas of the anatomy. Discomfort associatedwith pressure in this area is especially evident in individuals who arenot accustomed to sitting on a bicycle seat. The increased pressure onthe left and right side contact points of the ischiopubic rami can alsolead to increased rider discomfort. This discomfort is sometimesdescribed as a “splitting effect.” Others have attempted to provide amore comfortable saddle but such seats are commonly provided as a fixedshape saddle. Many such seats include a generally elongated longitudinalrecess, groove, or channel that is shaped to accommodate the genitalarea and/or limit contact with the rider genitals and/or perineum.Unfortunately, each fixed shape seat assembly has a very limited fieldof consumers or users such that large scale manufacturing of such seatassemblies is generally unfeasible.

Therefore, there is a need for a bicycle seat system that accommodatesthe genitals or perineum of the rider, provides a desired lateralstiffness to allow desired lateral interaction with the seat, and cansatisfy the individual preferences of more than one class, gender, orphysical shape of a user. The present invention discloses such a bicycleseat system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adjustable bicycle seat assembly thatcan quickly and conveniently be adjusted to satisfy the preference of agiven user from a large group of riders. One aspect of the invention isdirected to a bicycle seat assembly having an adjustable width noseportion. The seat assembly includes an H-shaped base that supports alateral left side pad and a lateral right side pad. A rail extends underthe base and between the left and right side nose portions of the seatassembly. A front rail mount assembly includes a housing or rail garage,a shuttle, an actuator, and left and right movable supports. Operationof the actuator alters the position of the left and right movablesupports relative to the rail garage and thereby alters a distancebetween the respective left and right side nose portions of the seatbase. Such a construction allows a user to uniquely configure the shapeof the seat assembly to achieve a more preferential seat shape.

Another aspect of the invention that is usable with one or more of theaspects discussed above discloses an adjustable width bicycle seatassembly having a housing that is secured to a seat rail. The assemblyincludes a shuttle body that is slidably positioned with respect to thehousing and the seat rail. An adjuster is engaged between the housingand the shuttle body such that rotation of the adjuster translates theshuttle body relative to the housing along an axis of rotation of theadjuster. A mount body that is constructed to be secured to a portion ofa saddle shell is engaged with the adjuster such that rotation of theadjuster translates the mount body and the portion of the saddle shellin a direction that crosses the axis of rotation of the adjuster.

Another aspect of the invention that is usable with one or more of theaspects discussed above discloses a bicycle seat assembly having a shellthat includes a right side portion and a left side portion that areconnected by a web wall that extends across a longitudinal centerline ofthe bicycle seat assembly. A first pad overlies the right side portionof the shell and a second pad overlies the left side portion of theshell. The first pad and the second pad are shaped to define a channelthat extends along the longitudinal center line of the assembly. Theassembly includes a shuttle that is slidably associated with a railgarage, a pair of mount bodies, and an adjuster that is engaged with theshuttle and the rail garage. The adjuster is rotatable about an axisthat is aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the assembly suchthat operation of the adjuster manipulates a position of the shuttlerelative to the rail garage. The first mount body is secured to theright side portion of the shell and the second mount body is secured tothe left side portion of the shell. The first and the second mountbodies are engaged with the shuttle such that fore and aft translationof the shuttle yields lateral translation of the first and second mountbodies.

Another aspect of the invention that is usable with one or more of theaspects discussed above discloses a bicycle seat assembly that includesa base having a right nose portion and a left nose portion. The noseportions are separated by a gap that extends along a longitudinal axisof the bicycle seat assembly between the right nose portion and the leftnose portion. A first mount body is secured to the left nose portion anda second mount body is secured to the right nose portion. The assemblyincludes an actuator that is engaged with a rail support and rotatableabout an axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bicycleseat assembly. A guide is operatively connecting the actuator, the firstmount body, and the second mount body so that rotation of theactuator 1) translates the actuator in a direction aligned with the axisof the actuator, 2) translates the first mount body in a first lateraldirection, and 3) translates the second mount body in a second lateraldirection opposite the first lateral direction.

It is appreciated that the aspects and features of the inventionsummarized above are not limited to any one particular embodiment of theinvention. That is, many or all of the aspects above may be achievedwith any particular embodiment of the invention. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that the invention may be embodied in a mannerpreferential to one aspect or group of aspects and advantages as taughtherein. These and various other aspects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will be made apparent from the following detaileddescription and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bicycle equipped with an adjustablebicycle seat assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of the bicycle seat assembly shownin FIG. 1 with the seat assembly removed from the bicycle;

FIG. 3 is a bottom side perspective view of the seat assembly shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bicycle seat assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the seat assembly shown in FIG. 2taken along line 5-5 shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the bicycle seat assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is bottom plan view of a front rail mount portion of the seatassembly shown in FIG. 2 with a lower plate shown in FIG. 3 removedtherefrom;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross section view of the front rail mountassembly taken along line 8-8 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross section view of the front rail mountassembly taken along line 9-9 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is lateral cross section view of the front rail mount assemblytaken along line 10-10 in FIG. 7 with the shuttle body in anintermediate position;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 taken along ling 11-11 in FIG. 7and shows the shuttle body adjusted to a forward position so that noseportion of the seat assembly attains a narrowest orientation; and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 taken along line 12-12 and showsthe shuttle body adjusted to the rearward position so that nose portionof the seat assembly attains a widest orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 10 equipped with a bicycle seat or bicycle saddleassembly or simply seat assembly 12 that is constructed in accordancewith the present invention. Bicycle 10 includes a frame 13 to which seatassembly 12 and handlebars 16 are attached. A seat clamp 14 is engagedwith an underside 15 of seat assembly 12 and cooperates with a seat post20 that slidably engages a seat tube 22 of frame 13. A top tube 24 and adown tube 26 extend forwardly from seat tube 22 to a head tube 28 offrame 13. Handlebars 16 are connected to a steerer tube 30 that passesthrough head tube 28 and engages a fork crown 32. A pair of forks 34, 35extend from generally opposite ends of fork crown 32 and are constructedto support a front wheel assembly 36 at an end thereof or fork tip 38.Fork tips 38 engage generally opposite sides of an axle 40 that isconstructed to engage a hub 42 of front wheel assembly 36. A number ofspokes 44 extend from hub 42 to a rim 46 of front wheel assembly 36. Atire 48 is engaged with rim 46 such that rotation of tire 48, relativeto forks 34, rotates rim 46 and hub 42.

A rear wheel assembly 56 is positioned generally concentrically about arear axle 64. A seat stay 65 and a chain stay 66 offset rear axle 64from a crankset 68. Crankset 68 includes pedals 70 that areoperationally connected to a flexible drive such as a chain 72 via achain ring or sprocket 74. Rotation of chain 72 communicates a driveforce to a rear section 76 of bicycle 10 having a gear cluster 78positioned thereat. Gear cluster 78 is generally concentricallyorientated with respect to rear axle 64 and includes a number ofvariable diameter gears.

Gear cluster 78 is operationally connected to a hub 80 associated with arear tire 69 of rear wheel assembly 56. A number of spokes 82 extendradially between hub 80 and a rim 81 that supports tire 69 of rear wheelassembly 56. As is commonly understood, rider operation of pedals 70drives chain 72 thereby driving rear tire 69 which in turn propelsbicycle 10. It is appreciated that bicycle 10 could be provided ineither of a road bicycle of mountain or off-road or trail bicycleconfiguration. It is appreciated that each configuration includesfeatures generally directed to the intended operating environment of thebicycle. For example, trail bicycles generally include more robustsuspension and tire systems than road bicycles. It is furtherappreciated that the seat system of the present invention is equallyapplicable to stationary bicycles and/or other vehicles or devicesconfigured to support a seated rider and constructed for generallycyclic and/or repeatable movement of a user's legs.

FIGS. 2-5 show seat assembly 12 removed from bicycle 10 and seat clamp14 removed therefrom. Referring to FIGS. 2-5, seat assembly 12 includesan upper side or topside 84 that faces a rider when the rider is seatedthereupon on bicycle 10. Seat assembly 12 includes a base 86 and a rail87 that includes a first rail portion 88 and a second rail portion 90that extend along opposite lateral sides of underside 15 of seatassembly 12. As explained further below, rail 87 is preferablyconstructed as a one-piece or unitary body that is contoured to formboth the left and right hand longitudinal portions of the rail. Rail 87preferably extends a substantial portion of the longitudinal length ofseat assembly 12. Regardless of the specific construction of rail 87,first and second rail portions 88, 90 cooperate with seat clamp 14 tosecure seat assembly 12 to seat tube 20.

Seat assembly 12 includes a forward or nose portion 96, a rear portion98, and opposite lateral side portions 100, 102. As used herein, thelongitudinal direction or axis of assembly 12 is the longest axis of therespective structure or assembly whereas the lateral directions arethose directions that are oriented in a crossing, and preferablyperpendicular direction within a horizontal plane associated with thelongitudinal axis. It is further understood that the longitudinal axisof seat assembly 12 is aligned with a longitudinal axis or axis alignedwith the direction of operation of bicycle 10 when the seat assembly isattached thereto and the lateral directions of seat assembly 12, asdetermined from the longitudinal axis, are oriented toward the oppositeleft and right hand sides of the bicycle as determined by a riderpositioned for operation of bicycle 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 side portions or left hand side portion100 and right hand side portion 102 of seat assembly 12 extend along alongitudinal length, indicated by axis 106, of seat assembly 12. Leftand right hand side portions 102 are spaced apart and shaped to define achannel, slot, gap, or groove 104 that extends along a longitudinallength 106 of seat assembly 12. Preferably, groove 104 extends theentire length of seat assembly 12. Left side portion 100 and right sideportion 102 each include a pad 112, 114 that extends along base 86 in agenerally upward direction to more completely define or increase thevertical depth associated with groove 104. Pads 112, 114 are preferablyconstructed of a softer and/or more pliable material than base 86 toprovide a more comfortable rider interaction with seat assembly 12. Itis appreciated that pads 112, 114 can be constructed to include a coverlayer and one or more overlapping or discrete padding layers.

Referring to FIG. 3, the alternate lateral portions 88, 90 of rail 87each include a rearward directed end portion 116 and a forward directedend portion 118. A first section 120 of each rail portion 88, 90 tapersforward and slightly inward of rearward end portion 116. A secondsection 122 extends forward from each first section 116 and is generallyin parallel alignment with longitudinal axis 106 (FIG. 4) of seatassembly 12. The second section 122 of each rail portion 88, 90 extendsalong a portion of underside 15 of seat assembly 12 and is offsetoutward from base 86 and is offset to generally opposite lateral sidesof longitudinal axis 106 of seat assembly 12. The second section 122 ofeach rail portion 88, 90 is positioned to generally cooperate with seatclamp 14, shown in FIG. 1, for securing seat assembly 12 to seat post20.

The alternate lateral portions 88, 90 of rail 87 each include a thirdsection 126 that is positioned forward of each second section 122. Eachthird section 126 is inclined toward base 86 and toward the longitudinalaxis 106 with respect to a forward direction of seat assembly 12. Eachrail portion 88, 90 includes a fourth section 128 that extends forwardof the third section 126. Each fourth section 128 is secured to base 86of seat assembly 12 by a forward rail mount assembly 130. Preferably,fourth sections 128 are interconnected so as to form a unitarycontinuous rail between alternate end portions 116.

As explained further below, forward rail mount assembly 130 isconstructed to securely engage rail 87 and base 86 of seat assembly 12but is also constructed to allow the lateral displacement of the noseportion of the alternate left and right hand side portions 100, 102 ofseat assembly 12 relative to one another. As shown in FIG. 3, first,second, third, and fourth sections 120, 122, 126, 128 of each railportion 88, 90 of rail 87 transitions from an outboard location 132 atthe rear of seat assembly 12 to a more inboard location 134 toward thefront of seat assembly 12 and nearer interaction with rail mountassembly 130. Such a construction provides for the gradual tapering ofthe shape of seat 12 in the fore and aft directions thereby defining thebroader rear portion and the narrower nose portion of seat assembly 12and facilitates a controlled pitching of seat assembly 12 during rideroperation of pedals 70 of bicycle 10.

Still referring to FIG. 3, base 86 of seat assembly 12 includes aftcavities 136 that engage the alternate rear ends 116 of rail 87associated with each rail portion 88, 90 thereby securing the rear endof each rail portion 88, 90 to base 86 at a desired position. It isappreciated that rear ends 116 could be captured during an integralformation of base 86 thereabout or simply connected to base 86. It isfurther appreciated that base 86 and rail 87 may be constructed of thesame or different materials. That is, base 86 and rail 87 may beconstructed of various metal, composite, or plastic materials. Asmentioned above, base 86 is constructed such that rail 87 is attached orconstructed to cooperate with base 86 so as to encourage base 86 to“roll” during a pedaling operation. That is, base 86 and rail portions88, 90 are constructed such that the rails deflect in response toshifting rider weight associated with pedaling. Accordingly, seatassembly 12 is constructed to be responsive to rider loading so as tomaintain a generally normal orientation of the respective lateral sidesof seat 12 to the rider's anatomy. Such deflection, in cooperation withgroove 104, ensures reduced compression of the riders deformable areascommonly attributed to interaction with a non-pliable seat duringpedaling operations.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of seat assembly 12. Respective seat pads100, 102 are exploded from seat base 86. Seat base 86 is formed as aone-piece body 140 having alternate left 142 and right 144 sideportions. Side portions 142, 144 of base 86 extend in the longitudinaldirection generally aligned and offset in the opposite lateraldirections from longitudinal axis 106 of seat assembly 12. A web wall146 extends in a lateral direction between the alternate side portions142, 144 of base 86. Preferably, web wall 146 is located nearer arearward end 148 of base 86 than a forward end 150 thereof. Web wall 146is constructed to accommodate lateral movement of a left-hand noseportion 152 relative to a right-hand nose portion 154 of base 86 inresponse to adjustment of forward rail mount assembly 139.

An elongated groove or channel 156 is formed between side portions 142,144 of base 86. Channel 156 extends from a forward tip of nose portion152 of base 86 to a forward facing edge 158 of web wall 146. A recess160 is formed between rearward portions of alternate side portions 142,144 of base 86 and extends between a rearward edge 162 of alternate sideportions 142, 144 of base 86 and a rear facing wall 164 of web wall 146of base 86. Recess 160 accommodates the scissors-like motion of sideportions 142, 144 of base 86 about web wall 146 associated withmanipulation of forward rail mount assembly 130 as explained furtherbelow.

Each of left and right-hand nose portions 152, 154 of base 86 include anumber of passages 170 that are shaped to receive one or more fasteners172 and corresponding nuts 174. Fasteners 172 and nuts 174 cooperatewith one another and a respective mount body to secure left and righthand mount bodies 176, 178 to a respective alternate lateral noseportion 152, 154 of base 86. Forward rail mount assembly 130 includes ahousing or a forward rail garage 180 that is fixedly secured to aforward portion 182 of rail 87. An adjuster or actuator 184 isrotationally supported by rail garage 180 and operatively engaged with ashuttle body or simply a shuttle 186 that is slidably positioned withrespect to garage 180.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, shuttle 186 includes a center portion 188 havinga threaded bore 190 that is configured to rotationally cooperate with athreaded portion 192 of actuator 184. Shuttle 186 includes a first arm194 and the second arm 196 that extend an opposite lateral directionsrelative to center bore 190. Each arm includes a passage 198, 200 thatis constructed to receive a pin or a post 202 that slidably cooperateswith a channel 204, 206 formed in each of the respective mount bodies176, 178. As explained further below with respect to FIGS. 7-12,rotation of actuator 184 relative to rail garage 180 translates shuttle186 in a longitudinal direction along the axis of actuator 184 and alongthe longitudinal axis 106 of seat assembly 12 such that the interactionbetween posts 202 and grooves 204, 206 translates each of mount bodies176, 178 of forward rail mount assembly 130 relative to rail garage 180and seat rail 87 in opposite laterally inward and outward directions.Said another way, operation of actuator 184 manipulates the position ofnose portion 152 of seat assembly 12 relative to the position of noseportion 154 of seat assembly 12 in a lateral direction and therebymanipulates the width associated with channel 156 and groove 104. It isfurther appreciated that each of the left side nose portion and theright side nose portion of saddle assembly 12 are concurrently moveable,and experience the same relative degree of translation duringmanipulation of actuator 184, relative to longitudinal axis 106 of seatassembly 12.

FIGS. 7-9 show various cross-sectional views of forward seat mountassembly 130. Left and right hand mount bodies 176, 178 each include anumber of openings 220, 222, 224, 226 that are configured to secure thealternate mount bodies 176, 178 relative to the underside of arespective nose portion 152, 154 of base 86. It is appreciated that suchan arrangement is but one means for securing mount bodies 176, 178relative to the nose portions of base 86. It is further appreciated thatmount bodies 176, 178 could be formed integrally with base 86 so as toextend from the underside thereof.

Regardless of the connection modality between base 86 and mount bodies176, 178, each groove 204, 206 formed in each respective mount body 176,178 includes a forward facing end 228 and a rearward facing end 230.Forward facing ends 228 are oriented more forward relative tolongitudinal axis 106 and more laterally outboard relative to arespective rearward end 230 of the corresponding groove. Each post 202is securely and fixedly positioned with respect to shuttle 186 butslidably cooperates with a groove 204, 206 associated with a respectivemount body 176, 178.

Actuator 184 includes a head portion 238 that is configured to cooperatewith a driving tool, such as a hex wrench via a cavity 240 (FIG. 5), orother suitable rotationally driving arrangement. Actuator 184 includes ashank 242 that rotationally cooperates with a passage 246 (FIG. 8)formed in rail garage 180. Actuator 184 is associated with rail garage180 to allow rotational operation of actuator 184 without altering thelongitudinal association between actuator 184 and rail garage 180.

Shuttle 186 threadably cooperates with a threaded portion 192 ofactuator 184 such that rotation of actuator 184 translates shuttle 186in the longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 248 (FIG. 8) relativeto rail garage 180 and rail 87 and thereby altering the longitudinalposition of posts 202 relative to rail 87 and rail garage 180. Arearward end 250 of actuator 184 cooperates with rail garage 180 so asto be rotationally supported thereat. As shown in FIG. 8, shuttle 186 ismoveable between a forward position 252 and a rearward position 254 uponrotation of actuator 184 and is accommodated in a cavity 256 defined bythe cooperation of rail garage 180 and a base plate 258.

As shown in FIG. 9, plate 258 includes elongated channels 260 thatextend in a longitudinal direction generally aligned with longitudinalaxis 106 of seat assembly 12. Channels 260 are offset in the oppositelateral directions relative to axis 106 so as to be aligned with alongitudinal axis associated with translation of post 202 duringmovement of shuttle 186. Referring back to FIG. 7, operation of actuator184 translates shuttle 186 in a longitudinal direction aligned with axis106. Posts 202 are secured to arms 194, 196 of shuttle 186 such thatposts 202 also translate in only a longitudinal direction that isparallel to the axis of operation of actuator 184. Unlike grooves 260associated with plate 258, grooves 204, 206 associated with thealternate lateral side seat base mount bodies 176, 178 include a lateralcomponent such that the longitudinal translation of posts 202 isconverted to lateral translation, indicated by arrows 260, 262 (FIG. 7),of respective seat base mount bodies 178, 176 during rotation ofactuator 184.

FIGS. 10-12 show various nose width configurations that can be achievedwith forward rail mount assembly 130. FIG. 10 shows an intermediarywidth 270 associated with gap 104, FIG. 11 shows a narrowest width 272associated with gap 104, and FIG. 12 shows a widest width associatedwith gap 104 attainable via user manipulation of actuator 184. As shownin FIG. 11, when shuttle body 186 is adjusted to a fully forwardposition relative to rail garage 180, posts 202 are displaced toward theforward end of grooves 260 formed in plate 258 as well as the forwardends 228 of grooves 204, 206 associated with respective mount bodies176, 178. Said another way, as shuttle body 186 is translated in thelongitudinal forward direction, mount bodies 176, 178 translate in aninward lateral direction, indicated by arrows 284, 286 (FIG. 11) towardlongitudinal centerline 106 the saddle assembly 12.

Inversely, manipulation of actuator 184 in a counterclockwise rotationaldirection translates shuttle 186 in a rearward direction along alongitudinal axis 106 thereby translating posts 202 toward a rearwardend 230 of grooves 204, 206. The rearward translation of posts 202translates mount bodies 176, 178, and thereby nose portions 152, 154 ofbase 86, in opposite laterally outward or outboard directions, indicatedby arrows 290, 292, (FIG. 12) respectively. Comparing FIGS. 11 and 12,it is shown that the inward lateral positioning of mount bodies 176 178provides a small spacing 294 between the respective mount body 176, 178and a respective alternate lateral side of rail garage 180, as shown inFIG. 11, whereas outward lateral positioning of mount bodies 176, 178increases the size of spacing 294 during the outward lateral translationof mount bodies 176, 178 as shown in FIG. 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, plate 258 is constructed to besecured to rail garage 180 such that shuttle 186 and a flange 296, 298of each of mount body 176, 178 can be slidably positioned between plate258 and rail garage 180. Shuttle 186 translates in the solelylongitudinal in a direction aligned with axis 106 between rail garage180 and plate 258 whereas the flange 296, 298 of each mount bodytranslates in opposite lateral directions, indicated by arrows 284, 286,290, 292, relative to shuttle body 186, rail garage 180, and plate 258.Such a construction allows slidable but non-interfering engagementbetween shuttle 186 and flanges 296, 298 of each respective mount body176, 178 while plate 258 protects the moveable operation of seat railmount assembly 130.

Although it is understood that the alternate lateral sides of seatassembly 12 could be connected in a manner that allowed the forward noseportions to touch one another when in a most inward position, preferablydistance 272 or the narrowest width of groove 104 is betweenapproximately 0.5-8 mm, and more preferably between 1-3 mm when thealternate left and right hand saddle portions are nearest to one anotherwhereas a largest width or distance 274 of groove 104 is betweenapproximately 10-30 mm, more preferably between approximately 15-25 mm,and more preferably about 20 mm. It is appreciated that groove 104 canbe provided with a width that comfortably accommodates the genitalia ofa rider and/or in a manner that does not compress the rider's genitaliaor perennial area. An outer width 273 of the forward tip of seatassembly 12 is about 40-50 mm, and more preferably between approximately45 mm when the seat assembly is in it's narrowest configuration andabout 55-70 mm, and preferably about 63 mm when in it's widestorientation. It is appreciated that the narrowest width of groove 104can be selected to provide a comfortable interaction with ridergenitalia whereas the outer width 273 can be selected to provide adesired interaction with the inner thigh of the rider. Such aconstruction allows saddle assembly 12 to achieve infinite nose widthand groove width adjustments. Seat assembly 12 provides a singular seatconstruction that can be quickly configured to satisfy the personal fitrequirements or preferences of a large class of users in a fairlyuniform product package. It is appreciated that seat assembly 12 couldbe constructed to provide other widths associated with dimensions 272,273, 274 by simply altering the location of the cooperation of base 86with mount bodies 176, 178, manipulating the lateral thickness of therespective left and right hand nose portions of the seat assembly,and/or altering the length associated with grooves 204, 206, 260, thelongitudinal operating length associated with the interaction betweenshuttle 186, actuator 184, and garage or housing 180.

Therefore, one embodiment of the invention includes an adjustable widthbicycle seat assembly that includes a housing secured to a seat rail. Ashuttle body is slidably positioned with respect to the housing and theseat rail. An adjuster is engaged between the housing and the shuttlebody such that rotation of the adjuster translates the shuttle bodyrelative to the housing along an axis of rotation of the adjuster. Amount body that is constructed to be secured to a portion of a saddleshell is engaged with the adjuster such that rotation of the adjustertranslates the mount body and the portion of the saddle shell in adirection that crosses the axis of rotation of the adjuster.

Another embodiment of the invention that includes one or more featurescombinable with the embodiment described above includes a bicycle seatassembly having a shell that includes a right side portion and a leftside portion that are connected by a web wall that extends across alongitudinal centerline of the bicycle seat assembly. A first padoverlies the right side portion of the shell and a second pad overliesthe left side portion of the shell. The first pad and the second paddefine a channel that extends along the longitudinal center line of theassembly. A shuttle is slidably associated with a rail garage and anadjuster is engaged with the shuttle and the rail garage. The adjusteris rotatable about an axis that is aligned with the longitudinalcenterline of the bicycle seat assembly such that operation of theadjuster manipulates a position of the shuttle relative to the railgarage. A first mount body is secured to the right side portion of theshell and a second mount body is secured to the left side portion of theshell. The first and the second mount bodies are engaged with theshuttle such that fore and aft translation of the shuttle yields lateraltranslation of the first and second mount bodies.

Another embodiment of the invention that includes one or more featuresthat are combinable with one or more of the features of the variousembodiments discussed above includes a bicycle seat assembly having abase that includes a right nose portion and a left nose portion. Therespective nose portions are separated by a gap that extends along alongitudinal axis of the bicycle seat assembly. A first mount body issecured to the left nose portion and a second mount body is secured tothe right nose portion. An actuator is engaged with a rail support andis rotatable about an axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis ofthe bicycle seat assembly. A guide operatively connects the actuator andthe first mount body and the second mount body so that rotation of theactuator 1) translates the actuator in a direction aligned with the axisof the actuator, 2) translates the first mount body in a first lateraldirection, and 3) translates the second mount body in a second lateraldirection opposite the first lateral direction.

The present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiments, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, andmodifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible andwithin the scope of the appending claims. It is further appreciated thatthe respective features of any one of the embodiments discussed above isnot necessarily solely exclusive thereto.

1. An adjustable width bicycle seat assembly comprising: a housingsecured to a seat rail; a shuttle body slidably positioned with respectto the housing and the seat rail; an adjuster engaged between thehousing and the shuttle body such that rotation of the adjustertranslates the shuttle body relative to the housing along an axis ofrotation of the adjuster; and a mount body constructed to be secured toa portion of a saddle shell and engaged with the adjuster such thatrotation of the adjuster translates the mount body and the portion ofthe saddle shell in a direction that crosses the axis of rotation of theadjuster.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the portion of the saddleshell is further defined as one of a left side nose portion or a rightside nose portion of a bicycle seat.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising another mount body that is secured to another portion of thesaddle shell and engaged with the adjuster such that rotation of theadjuster translates the another mount body in an opposite direction themount body.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 further comprising a channelformed in each of the mount body and the another mount body, eachchannel configured to slidably cooperate with a post attached to theshuttle body.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a platesecured to the housing such that the shuttle body is movably capturedbetween the plate and the housing.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 whereinthe shuttle body further comprises a first ear that extends in a firstdirection and a second ear that extends in an opposite directionrelative to an interaction axis between the shuttle body and theadjuster.
 7. A bicycle seat assembly comprising: a shell having a rightside portion and a left side portion that are connected by a web wallthat extends across a longitudinal centerline of the bicycle seatassembly; a first pad overlying the right side portion of the shell anda second pad overlying the left side portion of the shell, the first padand the second pad defining a channel that extends along thelongitudinal center line; a rail garage; a shuttle slidably associatedwith the rail garage; an adjuster engaged with the shuttle and the railgarage, the adjuster being rotatable about an axis that is aligned withthe longitudinal centerline of the bicycle seat assembly such thatoperation of the adjuster manipulates a position of the shuttle relativeto the rail garage; and a first mount body secured to the right sideportion of the shell and a second mount body secured to the left sideportion of the shell, the first and the second mount bodies engaged withthe shuttle such that fore and aft translation of the shuttle yieldslateral translation of the first and second mount bodies.
 8. Theassembly of claim 7 wherein the web wall is positioned nearer a rearwardend of the shell than a forward end of the shell.
 9. The assembly ofclaim 7 further comprising a seat rail that includes a curved portionthat engages the rail garage and a first elongated portion that extendsunder the right side portion of the shell and a second elongated portionthat extends under the left side portion of the shell.
 10. The assemblyof claim 9 wherein the rail garage includes an opening shaped toslidably receive the curved portion of the seat rail.
 11. The assemblyof claim 7 further comprising a first post that extends between theshuttle and the first mount body and a second post that extends betweenthe shuttle and the second mount body.
 12. The assembly of claim 11further comprising a first groove that cooperates with the first postand a second groove that cooperates with the second post.
 13. Theassembly of claim 12 wherein the first groove is formed in the firstmount body and the first post is secured to a first ear of the shuttleand the second groove is formed in the second mount body and the secondpost is secured to a secured to a second ear of the shuttle.
 14. Theassembly of claim 13 wherein the first groove and the second groove eachhave a longitudinal axis that is oriented in a crossing direction withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the other groove and thelongitudinal centerline of the bicycle seat assembly.
 15. A bicycle seatassembly comprising: a base having a right nose portion and a left noseportion that are separated by a gap that extends along a longitudinalaxis of the bicycle seat assembly between the right nose portion and theleft nose portion; a first mount body secured to the left nose portionand a second mount body secured to the right nose portion; a railsupport; an actuator engaged with the rail support and rotatable aboutan axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bicycle seatassembly; and a guide operatively connecting the actuator and the firstmount body and the second mount body so that rotation of the actuator 1)translates the actuator in a direction aligned with the axis of theactuator, 2) translates the first mount body in a first lateraldirection, and 3) translates the second mount body in a second lateraldirection opposite the first lateral direction.
 16. The assembly ofclaim 15 further comprising a seat rail having a forward portion that issecured to the rail support and a first rail that extends along theright nose portion and a second rail that extends along the left railportion.
 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the forward portion of therail is generally U-shaped.
 18. The assembly of claim 15 furthercomprising a groove formed in each of the first mount body and thesecond mount body and a first pin and a second pin that extend from theguide and cooperate with a respective groove.
 19. The assembly of claim18 wherein each groove includes a forward end that is farther from thelongitudinal axis of the bicycle seat assembly than a rearward end ofthe respective groove.
 20. The assembly of claim 15 further comprising afirst pad and a second pad secured to the base such that an inboardlongitudinal edge of each pad is aligned with the gap.